In a historic revelation, featherweight boxer Orlando Cruz has become the first openly gay man in the sport's history, describing himself as a 'proud gay man.'

The Puerto Rican, who is currently ranked No.4 in the world by the WBO said 'I've been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself.'

'I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.'

Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz has become boxing's first and so far only openly gay man

Cruz, 31, who began boxing at the age of seven, has enjoyed a successful career, with an appearance as part of the 2000 Puerto Rican Olympic Team in Sydney under his belt.

The boxer debuted as a professional following the games and won his first world title on March 22, 2008.

Share this article

Currently he holds the WBO NABO featherweight title and will defend the belt against Jorge Pazos on October 19th in Kissimmee, Florida.

Should he win that bout, he will put himself in line for one of the more prestigious world titles in boxing.

Boxer Orlando Cruz (right), battles Alejandro Delgado during a fight at the Palm Bay Community Center in Palm Bay, Fla. Describing himself as 'a proud gay man,' Puerto Rican featherweight Orlando Cruz is believed to be the first pro boxer to come out as openly homosexual while still competing

Cruz told The Associated Press in an interview that he is relieved about his decision but had initial reservations.

'I developed physically and mentally to take such a big step in my life and in my profession, which is boxing, knowing that it would have pros and cons, highs and lows in this sport that is so macho,' he said. 'I kept this hidden for many, many years.'

Cruz said he met with psychologists and others before making the announcement, adding he has the full support of his family, trainer and manager.

He praised his mother and sister for their unconditional love and said his father has always backed him.

'Like every father, he wants his son to be a full-blooded man,' Cruz said. 'But he is aware of my preference, my taste.'

Cornelius Lock (left) of the US knocks down Orlando Cruz of Puerto Rico during his NABO Featherweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas

Few active professional athletes have come out. There has yet to be an openly gay player in Major League Baseball, the NBA or NFL.

Pedro Julio Serrano, spokesman for the U.S.-based National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, praised Cruz for his decision and said it breaks stereotypes that gay people are not involved in sports like boxing.

'It also gives a lot of hope to young gays who can see in him the integrity and bravery to be who you are and face a society that is often intolerant, especially in this type of sport,' he said.

Reaction to Cruz's announcement was largely positive across social media, with many praising him for taking what they called a brave step given the sport's violent history.

Among those who sent messages of support was Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who announced he was gay in 2010.

Boxer Orlando Cruz poses for pictures after a training session at a public gym in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday after coming out as the first openly gay man in boxing

Some Twitter messages expressed concern for Cruz's safety and wondered whether other boxers will be reluctant to fight him. Dommys Delgado, president of the Boxing Commission of Puerto Rico, brushed aside those comments.

'Orlando has proven to be an excellent boxer with very good chances of becoming a world champion,' she said. 'We do know that it is a very macho sport. Those who don't want to fight with him, well, don't fight.'

The only other professional boxer who was quoted as saying that he had relations with men and women was U.S. Virgin Islander Emile Griffith, who told The New York Times in 2005 that he struggled with his sexuality. His comments came decades after he ended his 18-year career as a pro boxer.

Griffith is best known for his 1962 fight against Cuban Benny Paret, who taunted Griffith with gay slurs before the bout. Griffith knocked him out, and Paret died 10 days later.

Cruz said he is prepared for the fallout from his announcement, saying many boxers had already suspected he was gay but gave him privacy.

'I've been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,' he said. 'I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.'